Team news: San Francisco 49ers | Page 7

Trade talks have reportedly slowed as receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues his hold-in with the 49ers.

With it again looking more like Aiyuk will be with San Francisco for 2024, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked in his Monday press conference if Aiyuk was taking part in anything on the field — like running routes with the team’s quarterbacks against air.

“Not with us. I trust Brandon knows what he’s got to do for this year to get ready to play,” Shanahan said, via transcript from the team.

Aiyuk is seeking a new contract that will pay him a salary that’s more in line with the current market rate for top receivers. He’s currently slated to make $14.124 million in guaranteed base salary on his fifth-year option in 2024, the story went on to say. Rumors have linked him to the Patriots, Steelers and Browns over the last week, with other rumors saying deals were in place. However more recently, talks with Aiyuk and the Niners have reportedly progressed, and it could mean a return to San Francisco. We rank Aiyuk 16th among WRs, so he's a very solid WR2 option on your fantasy roster no matter where he ends up.

"Nothing against Elijah Mitchell, but Jordan Mason runs at a very high level." - 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan on Mason earning reps at RB2 when Christian McCaffrey isn't in.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo

Guerendo is going to miss some time at camp and with the rookie out of action, it could mean the RB2 role ends up going to Mitchell or Mason. Mitchell struggles to stay healthy at times, but has excelled in the starting role before. It could just be coach-speak about Mason, but it's also worth paying attention to, especially if you're looking to handcuff McCaffrey this season.

WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring) will likely be out approx 10 days total

RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) will be out several weeks.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jordan Mason

It's always tough for rookies when they miss time in camp. Guerendo was said to be battling for the RB2 spot with the often-injured Mitchell. The Niners traded up to get Guerendo who was having a nice spring. Meanwhile at WR, the team got back Pearsall today but Cowing was trying to work his up with the depth chart as well.

First day of pads has some good news for the 49ers: Ricky Pearsall is in pads and practicing today.

Related players: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing

It's good news Pearsall is back in the lineup for the 49ers. Aiyuk has been a hold-in so far at camp, so this is a chance for Pearsall to get some valuable work. The Aiyuk situation could be an interesting one as some say he could still be moved if the team can't get a deal done with him. If that happens, Pearsall's value could soar as a result. And that would also open the door a bit for Jennings and another rookie, Cowing. Assuming Aiyuk does return, Pearsall could be looking at a WR3 role.

While he’s still seeking a new contract and has requested a trade, receiver Brandon Aiyuk will not hold out.

Per a report from NFL Media, Aiyuk is reporting to training camp.

Related players: Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing

Aiyuk, 26, is slated to make just $14.124 million in 2024 on his fifth-year option. The No. 25 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Aiyuk has demonstrated throughout the offseason that he would like to receive a new contract from San Francisco or be traded to another team willing to give him a new, lucrative deal. But to this point, the 49ers have not expressed a willingness to sign Aiyuk to the deal he desires or move him to another team, the story went on to say. The 49ers drafted Pearsall and Cowing this past spring, but Pearsall is starting camp on the NFI list, according to reports.

49ers TE George Kittle dropped to 214 pounds — a 30-pound loss — after his core muscle surgery (he wasn't able to work out).

Kittle is now fully healthy and back to 240-243 pounds, the rest of the tweet said. Last season, Kittle averaged 5.1 targets per game in 14 games with Deebo Samuel, and saw 18 targets in the two games Samuel missed. In the six games that Samuel has missed over the last two seasons, Kittle has averaged 5.2 receptions for 84 yards and 1.0 touchdown. He’s basically THE fantasy TE1 when Samuel is out and just another TE1 when Samuel is active. Keep in mind that Kittle is entering his age-31 season, though his advanced metrics are still elite.

49ers rookie WR Ricky Pearsall injured his hamstring. Because it happened away from the facility, he is — by rule — on the NFI list instead of the PUP list.

Related players: Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, Ronnie Bell, Chris Conley

GM Lynch anticipates Pearsall will miss the "first block" of training camp practices — which means the first four sessions, according to the rest of the post. Jennings has been the next man up for the Niners for the last couple seasons, but the rookie Cowing could be an interesting name to watch as well.

We all know the elephant in the room with Brandon Aiyuk. The Steelers need a top-level wide receiver to pair with George Pickens and have been linked to Aiyuk for months now. Whether it’s conjecture or something to it, we will never know unless general manager Omar Khan pulls off a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. It doesn’t look like a sure bet. But with Khan, there’s always a chance.

A trade for Aiyuk would obviously lower Pickens' value, but probably the former's as well. No one is confusing Arthur Smith for Kyle Shanahan.

This hypothetical would do wonders for Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle.

Braelon Allen, a 2024 fourth-round pick, wasn't known for his receiving in college -- only 49 catches in three seasons at Wisconsin -- but he demonstrated plenty of ability in OTAs and minicamp. He showed excellent ball skills and terrific body control. He's 235 pounds, yet he was able to split out and play like a smaller back. "If you go back and watch his tape at Wisconsin, he caught the ball well," Jets running backs coach Tony Dews said. Allen has a chance to be Breece Hall's primary backup.

Related Players: Isaiah Davis, Israel Abanikanda

There was slight concern that Allen would only be a rotational goal line back but if he flashes some receiving skills, he could have slight standalone value. He's the back to keep an eye on if anything were to happen to Hall.

Ricky Pearsall has been easy to pick out in San Francisco 49ers practices.

For one, he’s been the team’s most prominent receiver on the field for most of the spring. Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show on Day 1 of the mandatory minicamp on Tuesday as he continues to hold out for a multiyear contract extension.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing

Barrows went on, “It’s been fun to watch both of them,” Shanahan said of the Purdy-Pearsall connection. “Brock doesn’t always get to watch how the route gets there. But he knows when guys end up in the right spot. That’s when quarterbacks get comfortable, and I think he can make that throw with Ricky right away. He’s been getting to the right spot. And when he has made a mistake, he understands it and corrects it. I think that so far those guys have had a lot of fun working together.”

Pearsall will be very interesting in fantasy should Aiyuk or Samuel miss any time. As it stands, he only profiles as a late-round dart throw